Ohio Pesticide Use and Records

About 5 of every 50 questions on a Ohio Commercial Core practice exam come from this topic.

Sources checked November 6, 2026

What to know

Ohio law bars applying, using, supervising or recommending a pesticide for a use inconsistent with its labeling, while use under FIFRA sections 5, 18 and 24(c) is allowed. Since House Bill 10 took effect on March 20, 2026, a trained serviceperson trained to ODA standards may use restricted use pesticides under a commercial applicator's direct supervision; for general use products, direct supervision means acting under the applicator's instructions and control. A private applicator's trained family member or employee is directly supervised when the private applicator is responsible and available when needed, even if not present. "Use" includes cleaning equipment, and private applicators may use restricted use pesticides only to produce farm commodities on land they or their employer own or rent. Trained servicepersons must be trained before their first occupational exposure, the written verification is kept during employment and for three years after, and the label must be at the worksite when the supervisor is away. Equipment that draws from surface water needs an anti-siphon device, and an application may not damage an adjacent pasture. Aerial herbicide sprays on right-of-way woody plants stop when wind tops seven miles per hour, roadside spraying from a moving vehicle needs a second person or a driver-operated boom, and aerial rodenticides need joint approval from ODA and ODNR's Division of Wildlife. Registered apiaries within one-half mile get 24 hours' notice before bee-toxic sprays on flowering crops, and fumigants need the soil fumigation, fumigation or greenhouse category. Illnesses needing medical attention are reported within 48 hours, and reportable property damage in writing within ten days. Commercial records are made on the date of application, include start and finish times for structural work, go to the business location within ten days and are kept three years. Agricultural customers get a copy within thirty days unless they agree otherwise, and private applicators keep restricted use records three years. Lawn signs stay up 24 hours, and abutting neighbors who ask in writing get notice of the date and approximate time by the prior business day. Before-school treatments come at least four hours, or the label's time if longer, before classes, and schools keep records one year. Pesticides are not stored above or against food, medications or toys, and empty containers with no label directions are triple-rinsed and disposed of under ORC Chapter 3734. Damage claims go to the director and the applicator, local ordinances cannot add licenses, and a first violation is generally a second-degree misdemeanor.

Where it comes from

• ORC 921.01, 921.11, 921.14, 921.24
• ORC 921.26, 921.28, 921.99
• OAC 901:5-11-02
• OAC 901:5-11-09, 901:5-11-10
• OAC 901:5-11-11, 901:5-11-15

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